It was a dramatic day in Paisley as St Mirren secured their Premiership survival by beating Dundee United on penalties.
Thursday night’s goalless stalemate at Tannadice meant that this was a one-off game with a place in next season’s Premiership up for grabs.
The hosts would have the first opportunity six minutes in as Stephen McGinn had an effort parried away after a free kick was cleared.
Robbie Neilson’s men came into game and took the lead after a Jack Baird handball in the box allowed Nicky Clark to open the scoring after 23 minutes.
St Mirren equalised almost immediately after Danny Mullen capitalised on a mistake and fired a low shot home three minutes later.
Dundee United almost scored again but Clark couldn’t control his shot from Robson’s cross and it went over.
Magennis then flashed a high shot over the bar as the two teams went in level at the break.
Winger Kyle McAllister would miss a great early in the second half from a Mullen cross.
The second half would be disturbed by injuries after MacKenzie and Bouhenna were treated with the latter going off before the St Mirren defender would get clattered again and have to come off himself.
The 90 minutes couldn’t separate the two teams and we went to extra time.
The first half of the extra 30 minutes passed with little in the way of clear goal scoring opportunities.
Duckens Nazon was harshly ordered off in the second half for violent conduct before St Mirren won on penalties. United failed with all their spot kicks while Mahal Popescu and Paul McGinn converted for Oran Kearney’s side.
Home advantage helps Buddies
The Buddies put in a resolute defensive display as Thursday night’s first leg at Tannadice ended in a goalless stalemate, with Gary MacKenzie’s late last ditch block keeping the two teams level. And today, they used the bumper home crowd to their advantage, as spot kicks from secured Oran Kearney’s side a second straight season in the Scotland’s top flight.
United face another season in the second tier
Neilson’s team couldn’t use their home advantage as Thursday’s first leg ended 0-0. On the night they had a clear cut chance in the first half through former St Mirren loanee Paul McMullan but it was saved by Vaclav Hladky. And today’s narrow defeat means that the Tannadice side will spend a fourth successive season in the Scottish Championship.
Saints hold nerve
St Mirren hold their nerves from 12 yards and Northern Irishman Oran Kearney was emotional at the end of the game as they secured a second successive campaign at the top table.
